Aglyco-Herceptin + rGel

Aglyco-Herceptin + rGel (Aglyco-Herceptin/rGel) is a novel, recombinant immunotoxin consisting of an aglycosylated full-length anti-HER2/neu monoclonal antibody (derived from Herceptin/trastuzumab) genetically fused to two molecules of recombinant gelonin (rGel), a ribosome-inactivating plant toxin. Developed by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas at Austin, this construct is expressed in *Escherichia coli*. By utilizing an aglycosylated antibody framework, the immunotoxin retains high affinity and specificity for HER2/neu-overexpressing cancer cells while avoiding Fc-mediated effector functions. Upon binding to HER2/neu, the immunotoxin is internalized, releasing the rGel toxin into the cytosol where it inhibits protein synthesis and induces cell death. It has demonstrated potent in vitro cytotoxicity against HER2/neu-overexpressing breast and ovarian cancer cell lines, including those resistant to Herceptin.

Other names

Aglyco-Herceptin/rGelaglycosylated Herceptin-recombinant gelonin fusion proteinaglycosylated trastuzumab-recombinant gelonin fusion protein